Ukraine thanks the US for billions in new military aid to help stop Russia’s advance

By ILLIA NOVIKOV
Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian officials are expressing thanks for $61 billion in new U.S. military aid, even though the supplies aren’t expected to have an immediate impact on the battlefield. Ukrainian troops have faced acute shortages of shells and air defense systems as political quarrels in Washington held up the aid for months. That has enabled Russian forces to edge forward in some parts of eastern Ukraine. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says the key now is speed. He urges quick deployment of the hardware that Kyiv expects to receive in the coming weeks and months.